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Smoking, Obesity Ups Woman's Hot Flashes
NEW YORK (Reuters
Health) - Cigarette smoking and obesity
may predispose a woman to hot flashes during menopause, findings
from a recent study suggest.
According to researchers writing
in the February issue of the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology,
"this information may be valuable for identifying women at risk
for hot flashes and for developing appropriate prevention strategies
that may include lifestyle modifications."
Women who were current smokers
were twice as likely to have moderate or severe hot flashes and
daily hot flashes compared to women who never smoked. And, the
more cigarettes a women smoked per day, the higher her risk for
hot flashes, according to lead author Dr. Maura K. Whiteman, of
the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, and
colleagues.
In addition, women who had a body
mass index (BMI) that was greater than 30 were more likely to
report moderate to severe hot flashes compared with women who
had a BMI that was less than 25.
BMI is a measure of weight in relation
to height and is considered a more reliable gauge of disease risk
than weight alone. An adult with a BMI of 30 or more is categorized
as obese, and one with a BMI of 25 to 30 is considered overweight.
"This study, together with previous
reports, suggests that modifiable factors, such as smoking or
high BMI, may increase a woman's risk for hot flashes," the authors
conclude.
In the study, the investigators
interviewed a total of 1,087 woman between the ages of 40 and
60 years old who lived in Baltimore. Of the group, 56% reported
having hot flashes.
The findings suggest that smoking
may cause hot flashes by accelerating the loss of estrogen in
women. Hot flashes are believed to be associated with declining
levels of estrogen.
According to the researchers, 40%
to 70% of women report menopausal hot flashes--sensations of intense
heat in the upper body, arms and face that are followed by sweating.
Hot flashes may cause sleep disturbances, irritability, forgetfulness,
physical discomfort, and changes in sexual activity.
SOURCE: Obstetrics and Gynecology
2003;101;264-272.
Reference
Source 89
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